Versatile pods crafted

They’re versatile, transportable, multi-use and being crafted in Methven.

Mark Brown is making bespoke pods in his workshop after seeing the success a mate has had making them over the last five years in England.

The pods come in different sizes and can be used as sleepouts, playhouses, offices or back country huts.

The largest pod comes in at 2.4m by 4m and falls below the threshold needed for a resource consent.

Mr Brown, who is a qualified joiner and works full time for Methven builder Snowfed, uses double glazed, thermally broken glass windows and doors and Lawson wood for the roofs and pine for internal walls.

Each pod is to NZ Standard, NZS 3604, has power sockets, LED lighting, a smoke alarm and is fully insulated.

Mr Brown, an Englishman, said the pods were becoming popular for “glamping”, or luxury camping, in Europe and he hoped to develop the business here.

The pods were versatile and could also make ideal shelters, or huts for hunters in the backcountry.

They were crafted in the evenings and at weekends and were built on bearers for easy relocation by hiab.

Depending on the size and specifications, a pod took around 50 hours to complete.